A dozen years have passed since the launch of BioShock Infinite, the last chapter in the acclaimed first-person shooter series by Irrational Games. The franchise’s visionary, Ken Levine, dissolved the original studio to form a new entity, Ghost Story Games, currently developing Judas. According to Levine, Judas shares certain elements with BioShock yet stands apart in its unique ways.
New Beginnings for BioShock
In late 2019, a new venture began when 2K announced the creation of Cloud Chamber, a studio based in Novato, California, tasked with continuing the BioShock saga. However, the journey hasn’t been smooth. Reports suggest the project faced a significant reboot in 2023 and a substantial round of layoffs this August, affecting about 80 team members. These challenges have pushed the anticipated release of the next BioShock game to the latter part of 2027.
Leadership Changes and Future Prospects
The studio’s leadership has also seen changes, with Rod Fergusson, an industry stalwart, stepping in to replace former head Kelley Gilmore. Fergusson’s experience with Epic Games, The Coalition, and Blizzard equips him well to steer Cloud Chamber towards success. During a recent earnings call, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick expressed optimism, stating that the game is progressing well and is poised to elevate the franchise. The next BioShock is on a promising path to exceed expectations and take the series to new heights.
What’s Next for Fans?
While fans await the next BioShock installment, they can look forward to Judas, which is expected to arrive before the BioShock game. Additionally, a BioShock film adaptation is in the works, directed by Francis Lawrence of The Hunger Games fame. Filming is set to commence after Lawrence completes his current project, Sunrise on the Reaping.